Automatic Adjusting of Reputation Thresholds in Order to Change the Processing of Certain Packets

ABSTRACT

One embodiment includes a firewall, intrusion prevention, or other device that automatically and dynamically adjusts packets subjected to certain rate limiting based on the reputation level associated with these packets (e.g., based on the reputation score of the source of a packet). In response to measured traffic, one embodiment automatically adjusts the range of reputation scores determining which packets are subjected to this rate limiting (e.g., which packets are possibly dropped), such as, but not limited to increase or decrease the measured traffic. For example, packet traffic with a worse reputation can be singled out for this rate limiting during a period of increased traffic, and then when the measured traffic subsides, the range of reputation scores can be correspondingly changed to allow more measured traffic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/705,564, filed Feb. 12, 2010, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a networked device, such as,but not limited to a firewall or a device implementing firewallfunctionality.

BACKGROUND

The communications industry is rapidly changing to adjust to emergingtechnologies and ever increasing customer demand. This customer demandfor new applications and increased performance of existing applicationsis driving communications network and system providers to employnetworks and systems having greater speed and capacity (e.g., greaterbandwidth). In trying to achieve these goals, a common approach taken bymany communications providers is to use packet switching technology.

A common attack in the Internet is a coordinated distributed denial ofservice (DDoS) attack, in which many computers around the worldsimultaneously try to make apparently legitimate requests of a server,blocking access from regular clients. The computers mounting the attackare frequently members of botnets—that is regular computers that haveunwittingly been compromised by malware. Since these are actual clients,from a broad array of networks, there is no simple way to sort the goodrequests from the bad. Frequently the only option is to manually blockwhole swaths of addresses, even though a lot of legitimate traffic isincluded in those swaths. An extreme example was the DDoS attack mountedagainst Estonia, in which the service providers ended up blocking all IPaddress not in Estonia—essentially they disconnected the EstonianInternet from the rest of the world.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended claims set forth the features of the invention withparticularity. The invention, together with its advantages, may be bestunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a particular machine operating according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus or component thereof used in oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a process performed in one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a process performed in one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 1. Overview

Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media,mechanisms, and means associated with automatic adjusting of reputationthresholds in order to change the processing of certain packets, suchas, but not limited to packets whose source has a correspondingreputation score worse than a new reputation threshold. This processingtypically includes one form of rate limiting, such as, but not limitedto, the not necessarily non-overlapping, extensible groups of: flowcontrol, Quality of Service (Qos) marking, dropping, policing,additional inspection (possibly including deep packet inspection) andreactive processing of packets, etc.

In one embodiment, a firewall, intrusion prevention or other deviceautomatically and dynamically adjusts packets subjected to certain ratelimiting based on the reputation level associated with their source.When measured traffic increases beyond a desired amount, the range ofreputation scores causing their associated packets to be subjected tothis rate limiting is adjusted to throttle the measured traffic to fallwithin desired limits. In this manner, packet traffic with a worsereputation can be singled out for this rate limiting during a period ofincreased traffic. When the measured traffic subsides, the range ofreputation scores can be correspondingly changed to allow more measuredtraffic.

One embodiment includes a method performed by a particular machine, suchas, but not limited to a firewall or intrusion prevention system (IPS).In one embodiment, the method includes: rate limiting, by the particularnetworked machine, of a first plurality of packets of a greaterplurality of packets, wherein packets received by the particularnetworked machine are identified as being in the first plurality ofpackets when their source has a worse reputation score than apredetermined reputation score threshold; and wherein packets receivedby the particular networked machine are not identified as being in thefirst plurality of packets when their source has a better reputationscore than the predetermined reputation score threshold. In response tomeasured traffic of the greater plurality of packets equaling orexceeding one or more predetermined traffic measurement thresholds:automatically adjusting, by the particular networked machine, thereputation score threshold to a better reputation score thus expandingthe first plurality of packets to now include packets associated with ahigher reputation score on which the particular networked machinesperforms said rate limiting.

In one embodiment, said measured traffic is based on one or more fromthe group consisting of: a rate of a number of packets in the greaterplurality of packets, a rate of connection attempts by the greaterplurality of packets; and a data rate of the greater plurality ofpackets. One embodiment includes determining a particular reputationscore for a particular packet of the first plurality of packets based ona source address of the particular packet. One embodiment includesdetermining a particular reputation score for a particular packet of thefirst plurality of packets based on a source address of the particularpacket and operating system fingerprinting of the particular packet. Oneembodiment includes determining a particular reputation score for aparticular packet of the first plurality of packets based on a domainassociated with a source address of the particular packet. In oneembodiment, said determining the particular reputation score for theparticular packet of the first plurality of packets based on the domainassociated with the source address of the particular packet includes:performing a reverse domain name service lookup operation on the sourceaddress of the particular packet. In one embodiment, the particularnetworked machine is a firewall. In one embodiment, said rate limitingby the particular networked machine of an identified packet includes oneor more rate limiting operations from a group consisting of dropping theidentified packet, diverting the identified packet for furtherprocessing to determine how to rate limit, performing Quality of Service(QoS) rate limiting of the identified packet based on its type ofservice. In one embodiment, said measured traffic of the greaterplurality of packets is made after said rate limiting of the firstplurality of packets such that packets in the greater plurality ofpackets dropped prior to said measurement of traffic are not included insaid measured traffic. In one embodiment, in response to said measuredtraffic of the greater plurality of packets equaling or dropping below asecond predetermined traffic measurement threshold: automaticallyadjusting, by the particular networked machine, the reputation scorethreshold to a worse reputation score thus contracting the firstplurality of packets on which the particular networked machines performssaid rate limiting.

2. Description

Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media,mechanisms, and means associated with automatic adjusting of reputationthresholds in order to change the processing of certain packets, suchas, but not limited to packets whose source has a correspondingreputation score worse than a new reputation threshold. This processingtypically includes one form of rate limiting, such as, but not limitedto, the not necessarily non-overlapping, extensible groups of: flowcontrol, Quality of Service (Qos) marking, dropping, policing,additional inspection (possibly including deep packet inspection) andreactive processing of packets, etc.

Embodiments described herein include various elements and limitations,with no one element or limitation contemplated as being a criticalelement or limitation. Each of the claims individually recites an aspectof the invention in its entirety. Moreover, some embodiments describedmay include, but are not limited to, inter alia, systems, networks,integrated circuit chips, embedded processors, ASICs, methods, andcomputer-readable media containing instructions. One or multiplesystems, devices, components, etc. may comprise one or more embodiments,which may include some elements or limitations of a claim beingperformed by the same or different systems, devices, components, etc. Aprocessing element may be a general processor, task-specific processor,or other implementation for performing the corresponding processing. Theembodiments described hereinafter embody various aspects andconfigurations within the scope and spirit of the invention, with thefigures illustrating exemplary and non-limiting configurations. Note,computer-readable media and means for performing methods and processingblock operations (e.g., a processor and memory or other apparatusconfigured to perform such operations) are disclosed and are in keepingwith the extensible scope and spirit of the invention. Note, the term“apparatus” is used consistently herein with its common definition of anappliance or device.

Note, the steps, connections, and processing of signals and informationillustrated in the figures, including, but not limited to any block andflow diagrams and message sequence charts, may typically be performed inthe same or in a different serial or parallel ordering and/or bydifferent components and/or processes, threads, etc., and/or overdifferent connections and be combined with other functions in otherembodiments, unless this disables the embodiment or a sequence isexplicitly or implicitly required (e.g., for a sequence of read thevalue, process said read value—the value must be obtained prior toprocessing it, although some of the associated processing may beperformed prior to, concurrently with, and/or after the read operation).Also note, nothing described or referenced in this document is admittedas prior art to this application unless explicitly so stated.

The term “one embodiment” is used herein to reference a particularembodiment, wherein each reference to “one embodiment” may refer to adifferent embodiment, and the use of the term repeatedly herein indescribing associated features, elements and/or limitations does notestablish a cumulative set of associated features, elements and/orlimitations that each and every embodiment must include, although anembodiment typically may include all these features, elements and/orlimitations. In addition, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. aretypically used herein to denote different units (e.g., a first element,a second element). The use of these terms herein does not necessarilyconnote an ordering such as one unit or event occurring or coming beforeanother, but rather provides a mechanism to distinguish betweenparticular units. Moreover, the phrases “based on x” and “in response tox” are used to indicate a minimum set of items “x” from which somethingis derived or caused, wherein “x” is extensible and does not necessarilydescribe a complete list of items on which the operation is performed,etc. Additionally, the phrase “coupled to” is used to indicate somelevel of direct or indirect connection between two elements or devices,with the coupling device or devices modifying or not modifying thecoupled signal or communicated information. Moreover, the team “or” isused herein to identify a selection of one or more, including all, ofthe conjunctive items. Additionally, the transitional term “comprising,”which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterizedby,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional,unrecited elements or method steps. Finally, the term “particularmachine,” when recited in a method claim for performing steps, refers toa particular machine within the 35 USC §101 machine statutory class.

One embodiment includes a method performed by a particular networkedmachine, the method comprising: rate limiting, by the particularnetworked machine, of a first plurality of packets of a greaterplurality of packets, wherein packets received by the particularnetworked machine are identified as being in the first plurality ofpackets when their source has a worse reputation score than apredetermined reputation score threshold; and wherein packets receivedby the particular networked machine are not identified as being in thefirst plurality of packets when their source has a better reputationscore than the predetermined reputation score threshold; and in responseto measured traffic of the greater plurality of packets equaling orexceeding one or more predetermined traffic measurement thresholds:automatically adjusting, by the particular networked machine, thereputation score threshold to a better reputation score thus expandingthe first plurality of packets to now include packets associated with ahigher reputation score on which the particular networked machinesperforms said rate limiting.

In one embodiment, said measured traffic is based on one or more fromthe group consisting of: a rate of a number of packets in the greaterplurality of packets, a rate of connection attempts by the greaterplurality of packets; and a data rate of the greater plurality ofpackets. One embodiment includes determining a particular reputationscore for a particular packet of the first plurality of packets based ona source address of the particular packet. One embodiment includesdetermining a particular reputation score for a particular packet of thefirst plurality of packets based on a source address of the particularpacket and operating system fingerprinting of the particular packet. Oneembodiment includes determining a particular reputation score for aparticular packet of the first plurality of packets based on a domainassociated with a source address of the particular packet. In oneembodiment, said determining the particular reputation score for theparticular packet of the first plurality of packets based on the domainassociated with the source address of the particular packet includes:performing a reverse domain name service lookup operation on the sourceaddress of the particular packet.

In one embodiment, the particular networked machine is a firewall. Inone embodiment, said rate limiting by the particular networked machineof an identified packet includes one or more rate limiting operationsfrom a group consisting of: dropping the identified packet, divertingthe identified packet for further processing to determine how to ratelimit, performing Quality of Service (QoS) rate limiting of theidentified packet based on its type of service. In one embodiment, saidmeasured traffic of the greater plurality of packets is made after saidrate limiting of the first plurality of packets such that packets in thegreater plurality of packets dropped prior to said measurement oftraffic are not included in said measured traffic. In one embodiment, inresponse to said measured traffic of the greater plurality of packetsequaling or dropping below a second predetermined traffic measurementthreshold: automatically adjusting, by the particular networked machine,the reputation score threshold to a worse reputation score thuscontracting the first plurality of packets on which the particularnetworked machines performs said rate limiting.

One embodiment includes an apparatus, comprising: a rate limiterconfigured for rate limiting of a first plurality of packets of agreater plurality of packets, wherein packets received by the apparatusare identified as being in the first plurality of packets when theirsource has a worse reputation score than a predetermined reputationscore threshold; and wherein packets received by the apparatus are notidentified as being in the first plurality of packets when their sourcehas a better reputation score than the predetermined reputation scorethreshold; a controller responsive to measured traffic of the greaterplurality of packets equaling or exceeding a predetermined trafficmeasurement threshold, with said response including: automaticallyadjusting the reputation score threshold to a better reputation scorethus expanding the first plurality of packets to now include packetsassociated with a higher reputation score on which the particularnetworked machines performs said rate limiting; and one or more ratemonitors configured for determining said measured traffic.

In one embodiment, said measured traffic is based on one or more fromthe group consisting of: a rate of a number of packets in the greaterplurality of packets, a rate of connection attempts by the greaterplurality of packets; and a data rate of the greater plurality ofpackets. In one embodiment, the apparatus networked machine is afirewall. In one embodiment, said rate limiting by the particularnetworked machine of an identified packet includes one or more ratelimiting operations from a group consisting of: dropping the identifiedpacket, diverting the identified packet for further processing todetermine how to rate limit, performing Quality of Service (QoS) ratelimiting of the identified packet based on its type of service. In oneembodiment, said one or more rate monitors are communicatively coupledto receive packets after passing through the rate limiter such thatpackets in the greater plurality of packets dropped prior to reachingsaid one or more rate monitors are not included in said measuredtraffic. In one embodiment, the controller is configured toautomatically adjust the reputation score threshold to a worsereputation score thus contracting the first plurality of packets inresponse to said measured traffic equaling or dropping below a secondpredetermined traffic measurement threshold.

One embodiment includes a method performed by a particular networkedmachine, the method comprising: repeatedly: receiving a particularpacket; applying firewall functionality to said received particularpacket, said firewall functionality including rate limiting ofparticular packets having a source with a reputation score worse than acurrent reputation score threshold; and forwarding non-dropped saidreceived particular packet from the particular networked machine; andrepeatedly: measuring at least a portion of outbound traffic from theparticular networked machine; in response to determining that saidmeasured outbound traffic exceeds a corresponding predetermined ratethreshold value: dynamically adjusting the current reputation scorethreshold to a reputation score level better than that current of thecurrent reputation score threshold in order to cause said measuredoutbound traffic to no longer exceed the corresponding predeterminedrate threshold value.

In one embodiment, said received particular packets belong to aparticular client; and wherein said measured outbound traffic is that ofthe particular client. In one embodiment, said firewall functionalityincludes identifying the reputation score for the particular packetbased on one or more from the group consisting of: a source address ofthe particular packet; the source address of the particular packet andoperating system fingerprinting of the particular packet; and a domainassociated with the source address of the particular packet. In oneembodiment, said rate limiting of the particular packet includes one ormore rate limiting operations from a group consisting of: dropping theparticular packet, diverting the particular packet for furtherprocessing to determine how to rate limit, performing Quality of Service(QoS) rate limiting of the particular packet based on its type ofservice.

Expressly turning to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a particularmachine 100, such as, but not limited to a firewall, an intrusionprevention system, or other device implementing firewall functionality.Note, the operation of one embodiment of FIG. 1 is further described inconjunction with FIGS. 2, 3 and/or 4.

As shown, particular machine 100 includes an interface 102 configuredfor receiving packets.

Particular machine 100 also includes component 104, which includes: apacket connection lookup mechanism with a data structure (e.g.,configured storing a flow table) configured for identifying whether apacket belongs to a current flow (e.g., based on a hashing or otherlookup operation); and if so, information about the flow including areputation score (e.g., the score itself or some representation orencoding thereof) of the source of the flow. If the flow is not locatedin the data structure, then a packet classification system is typicallyused to classify the packet (e.g., based on the standard five-tuple ofsource address, source port, destination address, destination port, andpacket type), as well as to identify a current reputation score of thesource of the packet/flow. In one embodiment, a lookup operation isperformed on a local or remote reputation database, such as, but notlimited to, based on a source address of the packet; the source addressof the packet and operating system fingerprinting of the packet; or adomain associated with the source address of the particular packet(e.g., after performing a reverse domain name server (DNS) lookup on thesource address of the packet such as to counteract IP address flux). Thedata structure is typically then updated with the flow information andreputation information, such that a next packet associated with the sameflow can be readily identified based on an initial lookup operation andits associated stateful characteristics and reputation score can bereadily retrieved from the data structure.

Particular machine 100 also includes a rate limiter 106, which isreactive to a reputation score identified for a packet and one or morecurrent reputation score threshold values. In one embodiment, ratelimiter 106 is configured to rate limit by, but not limited to,performing one or more rate limiting operations of: dropping theparticular packet, diverting the particular packet for furtherprocessing to determine how to rate limit, performing Quality of Service(QoS) rate limiting of the particular packet based on its type ofservice. In one embodiment, rate limiter 106 uses one or more reputationlevels which identify sets or bands or reputation levels for whichcertain types of rate limiting is to be performed thereon. For example,when a reputation score of a packet (e.g., the reputation scoreassociated with the source of the packet) is worse than a currentthreshold amount, then that traffic is rate limited of a first type,with packets having a reputation score better than the current thresholdamount not being so subject to the rate limiting of a first type. Thus,traffic with a worse reputation can be subjected to rate limiting. Also,one embodiment uses multiple thresholds, with packets withcorrespondingly worse reputation levels subjected to correspondinglyharsher rate limiting.

Particular machine 100 also includes rate monitors 110 configured fordetermining one or more measured rates, such as, but not limited to: arate of a number of packets, a rate of connection attempts; and/or adata rate of packets.

Particular machine 100 also includes controller 108 configured fordynamically adjusting the one or more reputation threshold values. Inone embodiment, when one of the measured traffic rates exceeds apredetermined threshold value (e.g., the desired maximum amount oftraffic or some value less than that to prevent overshooting the desiredrate), one or more reputation threshold values are adjusted to causeadditional packets to be subjected to certain rate limiting where someof these packets would not have been so subjected before said adjustmentof the one or more reputation threshold values. In other words, if ameasured rate exceeds a desired level, then additional rate limiting isrequired. One embodiment dynamically focuses this additional ratelimiting at least in part on reputation scores in order to bring themeasured rate back below a desired level.

For example, a customer might have a communications link over which itdesires no more measured traffic than a predetermined amount. When belowthis amount, rate-limiting of desirable traffic is not performed (ofcourse, some embodiments will always rate limit certain types of trafficor traffic corresponding to a reputation level worse than some amount).However, when measured traffic exceeds a predetermined amount, theparticular machine needs to rate limit this otherwise desirable traffic.One embodiment automatically differentiates and correspondingly ratelimits packets of this otherwise desirable traffic based on theirreputation scores in order to bring the measured traffic back in linewith the predetermined amount. This dynamic adjustment of the reputationlevel threshold(s) may be a single adjustment, or may take multipleadjusts reacting to on subsequent measured traffic. Further, once themeasured traffic drops below a corresponding one or more secondthreshold values, the reputation level threshold(s) will be adjusted tostop certain packets with corresponding reputation levels from beingsubjected to the rate limiting dynamically put in place during thisperiod of increased measured traffic.

Particular machine 100 also includes interface 112 configured forsending out packets which have not been dropped (e.g., discarded, partof blocked connections, etc.).

FIG. 2 is block diagram of an apparatus or component 200 used in oneembodiment associated with automatic adjusting of reputation thresholdsfor rate limiting of packets. In one embodiment, system or component 200performs one or more processes corresponding to one of the flow diagramsillustrated or otherwise described herein.

In one embodiment, apparatus or component 200 includes one or moreprocessing elements 201, memory 202, storage device(s) 203, specializedcomponent(s) 205 (e.g. optimized hardware such as for performing lookupoperations, etc.), and interface(s) 207 for communicating information(e.g., sending and receiving packets, user-interfaces, displayinginformation, etc.), which are typically communicatively coupled via oneor more communications mechanisms 209, with the communications pathstypically tailored to meet the needs of the application. In oneembodiment apparatus or component 200 corresponds to, or is part of,particular machine 100 of FIG. 1.

Various embodiments of apparatus or component 200 may include more orless elements. The operation of apparatus or component 200 is typicallycontrolled by processing element(s) 201 using memory 202 and storagedevice(s) 203 to perform one or more tasks or processes. Memory 202 isone type of computer-readable/computer-storage medium, and typicallycomprises random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flashmemory, integrated circuits, and/or other memory components. Memory 202typically stores computer-executable instructions to be executed byprocessing element(s) 201 and/or data which is manipulated by processingelement(s) 201 for implementing functionality in accordance with anembodiment. Storage device(s) 203 are another type of computer-readablemedium, and typically comprise solid state storage media, disk drives,diskettes, networked services, tape drives, and other storage devices.Storage device(s) 203 typically store computer-executable instructionsto be executed by processing element(s) 201 and/or data which ismanipulated by processing element(s) 201 for implementing functionalityin accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process performed in one embodiment. Processingbegins with process block 300. In process block 302, a reputation scorethreshold and minimum reputation score threshold are initialized. Thesereputation score thresholds may correspond to a client, interface orentire device, or a portion thereof. Depending on the embodiment and usethereof, a particular machine may have different reputation levelthreshold(s) and measured traffic value(s) for different clients,interfaces, or portions of the entire device.

In process block 304, at least a portion of the outbound traffic ismeasured (e.g., correspond to a client, interface or entire device, or aportion thereof), such as, but not limited to, measuring a rate of anumber of packets, a rate of connection attempts; and/or a data rate ofpackets. As determined in process block 305, if a measured rate exceedsa corresponding rate threshold value, then in process block 306, thereputation score threshold is adjusted such that additional packets witha better reputation score before said adjustment will be subjected torate limiting based on reputation score, such as, but not limited toattempting to keep one or more measured traffic rates below acorresponding rate threshold value. Otherwise, as determined in processblock 307, if the traffic level has dropped below a minimum thresholdvalue, then, in process block 308, the dynamic reputation leveladjustment will backoff to cause less traffic to be subjected to ratelimiting than currently is so subjected, thus, typically increasing oneor more measured traffic values. Processing returns to process block304.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process performed in one embodiment. Processingbegins with process block 400. In process block 402, a packet isreceived. In process block 404, a lookup operation is performed on thepacket (e.g., in a flow table) to identify if the packet is part of anexisting flow, and if so, corresponding information for performingfirewall functionality will be retrieved including a reputation scorecorresponding to a source of the packet.

As determined in process block 405, if the lookup operation did notdetermine that the packet belonged to a preexisting connection, then inprocess block 406, the reputation corresponding to the source of thepacket is performed on a local or remote reputation database. In oneembodiment, this lookup operation is performed based on a source addressof the packet; the source address of the packet and operating systemfingerprinting of the packet; or a domain associated with the sourceaddress of the particular packet (e.g., after performing a reversedomain name server (DNS) lookup on the source address of the packet suchas to counteract IP address flux). In process block 408, a flow tableentry including the identified reputation score is created.

Next, in process block 409, firewall functionality is applied to thereceived packet, which includes rate limiting of the packet when itsassociated reputation score is worse than a predetermined reputationscore threshold. Processing returns to process block 402.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of ourinvention may be applied, it will be appreciated that the embodimentsand aspects thereof described herein with respect to thedrawings/figures are only illustrative and should not be taken aslimiting the scope of the invention. For example, and as would beapparent to one skilled in the art, many of the process block operationscan be re-ordered to be performed before, after, or substantiallyconcurrent with other operations. Also, many different forms of datastructures could be used in various embodiments. The invention asdescribed herein contemplates all such embodiments as may come withinthe scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a particular networkedmachine, the method comprising: rate limiting, by the particularnetworked machine, of a first plurality of packets of a greaterplurality of packets, wherein packets received by the particularnetworked machine are identified as being in the first plurality ofpackets when their source has a worse reputation score than apredetermined reputation score threshold; and wherein packets receivedby the particular networked machine are not identified as being in thefirst plurality of packets when their source has a better reputationscore than the predetermined reputation score threshold; and in responseto measured traffic: automatically adjusting, by the particularnetworked machine, the reputation score threshold to a better reputationscore thus expanding the first plurality of packets to now includepackets associated with a higher reputation score on which theparticular networked machines performs said rate limiting.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein said measured traffic is based on one or more fromthe group consisting of: a rate of a number of packets in the greaterplurality of packets, a rate of connection attempts by the greaterplurality of packets; and a data rate of the greater plurality ofpackets.
 3. The method of claim 1, including determining a particularreputation score for a particular packet of the first plurality ofpackets based on a source address of the particular packet.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, including determining a particular reputation scorefor a particular packet of the first plurality of packets based on asource address of the particular packet and operating systemfingerprinting of the particular packet.
 5. The method of claim 1,including determining a particular reputation score for a particularpacket of the first plurality of packets based on a domain associatedwith a source address of the particular packet.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein said determining the particular reputation score for theparticular packet of the first plurality of packets based on the domainassociated with the source address of the particular packet includes:performing a reverse domain name service lookup operation on the sourceaddress of the particular packet.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theparticular networked machine is a firewall.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein said rate limiting by the particular networked machine of anidentified packet includes one or more rate limiting operations from agroup consisting of: dropping the identified packet, diverting theidentified packet for further processing to determine how to rate limit,performing Quality of Service (QoS) rate limiting of the identifiedpacket based on its type of service.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid measured traffic is made after said rate limiting of the firstplurality of packets such that packets in the greater plurality ofpackets dropped prior to said measurement of traffic are not included insaid measured traffic.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein in response toa change in said measured traffic: automatically adjusting, by theparticular networked machine, the reputation score threshold to a worsereputation score thus contracting the first plurality of packets onwhich the particular networked machines performs said rate limiting. 11.The method of claim 1, including performing a lookup operation on areputation database remote from the particular networked machine toacquire the reputation score of the source of a particular packet of thefirst plurality of packets.
 12. An apparatus, comprising: a rate limiterconfigured for rate limiting of a first plurality of packets of agreater plurality of packets, wherein packets received by the apparatusare identified as being in the first plurality of packets when theirsource has a worse reputation score than a predetermined reputationscore threshold; and wherein packets received by the apparatus are notidentified as being in the first plurality of packets when their sourcehas a better reputation score than the predetermined reputation scorethreshold; a controller responsive to measured traffic, with saidresponse including: automatically adjusting the reputation scorethreshold to a better reputation score thus expanding the firstplurality of packets to now include packets associated with a higherreputation score on which the particular networked machines performssaid rate limiting; and one or more rate monitors configured fordetermining said measured traffic.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein said measured traffic is based on one or more from the groupconsisting of: a rate of a number of packets in the greater plurality ofpackets, a rate of connection attempts by the greater plurality ofpackets; and a data rate of the greater plurality of packets.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus networked machine is afirewall.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said rate limiting bythe particular networked machine of an identified packet includes one ormore rate limiting operations from a group consisting of dropping theidentified packet, diverting the identified packet for furtherprocessing to determine how to rate limit, performing Quality of Service(QoS) rate limiting of the identified packet based on its type ofservice.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said one or more ratemonitors are communicatively coupled to receive packets after passingthrough the rate limiter such that packets in the greater plurality ofpackets dropped prior to reaching said one or more rate monitors are notincluded in said measured traffic.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust thereputation score threshold to a worse reputation score thus contractingthe first plurality of packets in response to a change in said measuredtraffic.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12, including an interfaceconfigured to acquire the reputation score of the source of a particularpacket of the first plurality of packets based on a lookup operation ona reputation database remote from the particular networked machine. 19.A method performed by a particular networked machine, the methodcomprising: receiving a particular packet; applying firewallfunctionality to said received particular packet, said firewallfunctionality including rate limiting of particular packets having asource with a reputation score worse than a current reputation scorethreshold; and forwarding non-dropped said received particular packetfrom the particular networked machine; and measuring at least a portionof outbound traffic from the particular networked machine, and inresponse to said measured outbound traffic: dynamically adjusting thecurrent reputation score threshold to a reputation score level betterthan that current of the current reputation score threshold.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein said received particular packets belong to aparticular client; and wherein said measured outbound traffic is that ofthe particular client.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein said firewallfunctionality includes identifying the reputation score for theparticular packet based on one or more from the group consisting of: asource address of the particular packet; the source address of theparticular packet and operating system fingerprinting of the particularpacket; and a domain associated with the source address of theparticular packet.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein said ratelimiting of the particular packet includes one or more rate limitingoperations from a group consisting of: dropping the particular packet,diverting the particular packet for further processing to determine howto rate limit, performing Quality of Service (QoS) rate limiting of theparticular packet based on its type of service.
 23. The method of claim19, including performing a lookup operation on a reputation databaseremote from the particular networked machine to acquire the reputationscore of the source of one or more of said received particular packets.